Foster Care Facts

What and How Many Children Are In American Foster Care?On September 30, 2004, 518,000 children were in our country’s foster care system. Most children are placed in foster care temporarily due to parental abuse or neglect.

Average Length of Stay in Foster Care
The average length of stay for a foster child is 2½ years. However, this figure does not include subsequent re-entries into foster care.

Age of Children in Foster Care
Average age: 10.1 years

Age

Percentage

Younger than 1 year

5%

Age 1-5

25%

Age 6-10 years

20%

Age 11-15 years

29%

Age 16-18 years

18%

Over 18

2%

Race and Ethnicity
As a percentage, there are more children of color in the foster care system than in the general U.S. population. Child abuse and neglect, however, occur at about the same rate in all racial and ethnic groups.

Ethnicity

Foster Care

General Population

Black, Non-Hispanic

34%

15%

White, Non-Hispanic

40%

61%

Hispanic

18%

17%

American Indian/Alaska Native, Non-
Hispanic

2%

1%

Asian/Pacific Islander, Non-Hispanic

1%

3%

Unknown

2%

N/A

Two or More Races, Non-Hispanic

2%

4%

Gender

Gender

Percentage

Male

53%

Female

47%

Foster Homes
In 2002, there were 170,000 foster homes nationwide.

Adoptions
In 2004, 59% of adopted children were adopted by their foster parents. Of children adopted in 2004, 24% were adopted by a relative.

What Happens to Children Who Leave Foster Care as Young Adults?
Each year, an estimated 20,000 young people age out of the U.S. foster care system. Many are only 18 years old and still need support and services. Several foster care alumni studies show that without a lifelong connection to a caring adult, these older youth often are left vulnerable to a host of adverse situations:

Outcome

Percentage

Earned a high school diploma

54%

Obtained college bachelors degree or higher

2%

Became a parent 12-18 months after discharge

84%

Were unemployed

51%

Had no health insurance

30%

Had been homeless

25%

Received public assistance

30%

*The above information was provided courtesy of the Child Welfare League of America. For more information contact: Child Welfare League of America, 2345 Crystal Drive, Suite 250, Arlington, VA 22002, or cwla.org.

Foster Care Organizations and Ways to Help

There are many, many ways to help a foster child and literally thousands of organizations across the country work hard to do that every day with far too little recognition or help.

Listed below are only a few organizations that I know especially well or with which I have worked personally. Like the children and families that they help, these organizations could use your time, energy, and of course, financial assistance. I would also urge you to get involved with organizations that help foster kids in your own community.